My name is Melissa, owner of Henry's Helping Paw Dog Training, LLC.  I am a  Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College. (2015)

 After adopting Henry, our lab/shepard mix tripod, the idea of having a business named after Henry came to me often, and in Dec of 2020, Henry's Helping Paw Dog Training materialized. I was on my journey to help others do what Henry helped me to do, to understand how to listen and communicate...to Speak Dog!  

 Adopted in 2012, Henry was reactive when it came to a male he didn't know approaching us during a walk.  Being a rescue, I did not know much of his past, and was not told anything about any behavior towards men one way or the other. However, I took the info I had in front of me, built trust, and made sure I could get Henry to focus on me in different situations. I assured him he was safe and built his confidence in me.  In other words, it was like telling him, "don't worry Henry, mom's got it!" I was confident and that meant he would be too.    

  He was becoming an even more amazing and well behaved dog!  I wanted to learn more about how this relationship was shaped into a beautiful trusting bond, and keep my communication strong with him and my other dogs. They are all rescue dogs, so that brought other challenges sometimes, but as I moved along, so did my desire to work more with them. That itself was a gift as well, as much of my work now is with rescue dogs, many needing behavior modification. 

  I enrolled in ABC, a one year online course, graduated and became certified. Not to long after, I began working with a pet sitting and training company and spent four years working beside professional trainers, and began instructing and regulating group lessons at the SPCA, private lessons, and I also was the trainer for The Pups At The Pen Program at the Erie County Correctional Facility for almost 1 year, working with inmates and rescue dogs.

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I am forever thankful Henry picked me to be part of his journey, and like Henry, everyone can always use a Helping Paw! I look forward to starting your training journey with you!